Cleaning the Bike?

Falco · Traffic Copper Joined: 26 Nov 2015 Karma :

I was wandering through a biker hotspot near me this weekend and I was agog at the cleanliness of the bikes on display! They were all bloody pristine! Now I know that some of these bikes will be Sunday bikes that never go out in bad weather but I feel certain that even an every day commuter such as mine should be capable of keeping clean (assuming the weather isn't too crap).

So my question is this: Is a pressure washer overkill? In some ways it seems good, but I worry about stripping paint or about getting water into every crevice on the bike and engender rust.

Is there a way to keep the bike in a decent condidtion despite continual use, without having to wash it several times per day Razz

bamt · World Chat Champion Joined: 14 Dec 2013 Karma :

I don't use a pressure washer, having seen them strip paint off machinery. Hose down, then if really dirty a brush on the hose with a foam stick, otherwise two buckets (one of warm water with shampoo in it, the other clean cold water to rinse the sponge after it's been on the bike before dunking it back in the soapy water - keeps the soapy water clean). Then rinse off and leather.
Regularity is probably key - don't let it ever get too dirty, and it's easier to keep it looking nice. The odd missed bit won't stand out as much, and will probably be got next time.
But to be honest, a mucky bike that's used is a beautiful thing in my eyes, far nicer than a highly polished garage queen that only ever goes a couple of miles to the local biker cafe on a sunny Sunday morning.

craigs23 · Mr Muscle Joined: 08 Jun 2005 Karma :

https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?p=1313848

Shifty

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chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

My Fazer has become a garage queen Shocked

Only really cos it needs some work doing and I've got another bike I can use now. The Striple is filthy, hasn't been washed since I bought it. Just ACF'd it thoroughly as soon as I got it, and I have a good look round it regularly to make sure corrosion isn't getting a hold anywhere I might have missed. Then, when I wash it all off come the 'no road salt' season, it should be pretty shiny underneath. It's easy to slip into this mind set of 'must always have shiny bike', but as long as it's protected from rot, you shouldn't worry. Ride it, enjoy it.

With pressure washers, you need to take care to keep away from electrics, bearings, and as bamt says, be careful with paintwork - if it has any weaknesses/flaking etc, it'll all strip off easily under a pressure washer. Engine paint can be very prone to this on some bikes. I personally wouldn't use one.
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G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

Should need no more than two cleans + ACF50 application per year. Can often get away with one!

rubyhorse2 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

no harm with the little karcher pressure washers, just be sensible with them.

I tend to clean my bike every weekend when i'm using it, full clean, lube and polish. i actually quite enjoy cleaning it, how sad is that.

Baffler186 · World Chat Champion Joined: 31 May 2013 Karma :

I give mine a thorough clean, with pressure washer but that is more for getting in where I can't reach with a rag. Then rag with ACF50. It's for maintenance only, it soon gets grubby again after a few rides but at least I know there's no actual mud festering in hard to reach places.
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NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

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Minty · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Dec 2005 Karma :

I'm the opposite. I have just had an MOT and new rear tyre and there are fingerprints in the dirt that now show shiny paint underneath. Evil or Very Mad

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Falco · Traffic Copper Joined: 26 Nov 2015 Karma :

Lots of great advice here, thanks guys.

There are a lot of crevices and awkward bits that seem to accrue muck faster than I can get it out (the gap at the front of the frame, between the engine and the front wheel being a prime offender) and I worry about corrosion starting under that stuff.

My main worries however are: 1) the engine casing, which despite my efforts with a brush and rag has acquired a "grimy" look, its painted silver but that has darkened with use and doesn't seem to want to shift. 2) the fastener heads, everywhere I have adjusted the fasteners, the paint on them has been removed and rust has begun to take hold (rear wheel axle, chain adjuster nuts, foot bar bolts etc), though I am washing hard to reach areas as I do general maintenance.

I'm not looking for the bike to in showroom condition, but I do want it to look presentable (if for no other reason than it means I can stop worrying about corroded parts) except for my exhaust....that thing is determined to rust, as is my damn chain!

I see ACF-50 cropping up a lot. I actually have a can waiting for application (has been for about 3 months now) but I can't bring myself to do it before I wash it thoroughly, so I end up never doing it Embarassed

chris-red · Have you considered a TDM? Joined: 21 Sep 2005 Karma :

I've always used the Pressure washer on my TDM, 85K and still going strong. I am in the 1 wash a year club though. Also I haven't used ACF50 or anything and barring the exhaust it is corrosion free. Just don't be a tool with it, don't spray directly at the chain, instruments or anything delicate.
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NJD · World Chat Champion Joined: 11 Mar 2015 Karma :

pepperami · Super Spammer Joined: 17 Jan 2010 Karma :

I use a pressure washer to clean my bikes.
What I don't do is get the lance so close to the paintwork that the pressure can strip it off.
Nor do I put the lance to close to crevices and bearings that it will fill them with hidden water.

Once done I use a blower to get rid of any excess water that may be hanging around on the bike.
Lastly a lube and a visual check, job jobbed!
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Falco · Traffic Copper Joined: 26 Nov 2015 Karma :

mauzo · Nova Slayer Joined: 30 Jun 2015 Karma :

Supermoto_Fan · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Karma :

I give my bike a clean and polish most times after use, meh, I enjoy doing it in the sunshine with the radio on.

I use a small K2 karcher with adjustable lance so pretty safe regarding the bike
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Rogerborg · nimbA Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Karma :

Supermoto_Fan · World Chat Champion Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Karma :

blue_painted · Nova Slayer Joined: 04 Aug 2015 Karma :

The "me too" bit:
I cleaned mine last weekend, after riding it pretty much every day since I got it last summer because I was curious to see what was left under the muck and ACF-50. Surprisingly good! But as it is still road salt season I put ACF-50 back on everywhere.

Also:
What can I use instead/with ACF-50 on the exhaust? The ACF-50 seems to burn off and then I get rusts spots. At the moment it's regular wipedown with engine oil.

Also also:
I used Muc-off engine degreaser for the first time: that is scary stuff.
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thx1138 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Karma :

Pressure wash my dirt bike
Hand clean 125

Dirt bike is very tatty, usually wash it to work on it.

esullivan · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 06 Mar 2012 Karma :

My (one and only) daily bike lives outside 24x7, so I do try to wash it down every 2-3 weeks. I do:

1. Spray with garden hose. I used to use a jet wash thingy, but it broke. The normal hose seems fine for this.
2. Wash down with a sponge and bucket of water (cold, filled from the garden hose) with a bit of Autoglym.
3. Dry with a chamois
4. Wipe with a rag that has been sprayed with ACF-50. I use this everywhere (even the plastics), except the control surfaces, chain and brakes.
5. Wipe the chain with a rag soaked in chain oil (the same stuff that it's in my Tutoro chain oiler).

Looks brand new afterward and takes 10-15 minutes.

Once a year, I pay someone (allyearbiker.co.uk) to clean it very thoroughly and spray ACF-50 in all of the nooks and cranies I can't reach.
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chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

rubyhorse2 · Traffic Copper Joined: 03 Mar 2015 Karma :

i use muck off, excellent stuff, but yeh, dont let it stand for too long.

I think everyone's being a little bit precious when thinking about pressure washers, just use the fan jet option and dont be stupid and put the nozzle 1cm from the bike. I've used one for years on both my motorbikes and mountain bikes, also the car. Never ever had any issues with paint, bearings, etc.

i also finish off with a polish which is meant to reduce bugs sticking to the bike, not sure this works but makes me feel better.

My plan for weekend is to spend a few hours on the chain, bit of music, plenty of brews, i really dont mind cleaning at all Thumbs Up